Drywall Anchors

Drywall anchors are typically made of plastic or metal or a combination of both to create threading for a screw in drywall. They're ideal for situations where there is no stud in the wall exactly where you need it. These anchors allow the installation of screws into drywall without causing the soft drywall to crumble around it.

Most anchors slide through a pre-drilled hole and then expand outward to secure themselves into the drywall. Once installed, they get locked into place, not intended for removal. Drywall anchors have threading on the inside, allowing the screws to be threaded into the anchor to hold something to the drywall.

Drywall anchors are commonly used in the following materials:

  • Sheetrock
  • Wood
  • Plastics
  • Particleboard
  • Plasterboard
  • Gypsum

Toggle Bolt Anchors

Intended for hollow wall applications, these light to medium-duty toggle bolt anchors use their toggle wings to brace against the backside of the hollow material to secure it into place. Not limited to hollow blocks, these anchors also find use in drywall, sheetrock, or gypsum board. The Kaptoggle versions are specially designed to keep the toggle wings in place after installation so you can reuse the hole multiple times.

How to Install Drywall Anchors to Hang things on Your Wall

For hanging things on the wall, commonly, expansion anchors are utilized. To install a drywall anchor, first drill a hole into the wall. The diameter of the hole should be the same as that of a drywall anchor. Then use a hammer to insert a drywall anchor into the hole. After that, drive the screw into the anchor. Now you can hang anything on that particular screw.

FAQs

Which is the best drywall anchor?

This depends largely on application. Each type of anchor has different pros and cons. Our self-drilling drywall anchors, for example, don't need pre-drilled holes to install and can be backed out of their holes at the cost of only being able to handle lighter applications. Meanwhile, the Kaptoggle toggle bolt anchors are heavy-duty, with higher working load capacity, but much more expensive. They cannot be removed from their pre-drilled holes as the self-drilling anchors can, but they can use less space behind the drywall to secure your application. Consult each anchor's specifications table for more information on their capabilities.

What types of drywall anchors are there?

We have three different kinds of drywall anchors available:

  • Self-Drilling Drywall Anchors for light-weight applications, including hanging pictures, curtain hardware, and signs. These anchors don't need a pre-drilled hole for installation. They have a recommended working load of under 50lbs (Refer to the product specifications for exact numbers).
  • Plastic Hollow Wall Toggle Anchors for attaching light-weight fixtures to hollow walls, including curtain rods, junction boxes, towel bars, and soap dishes. The anchor expands into the drywall as a threaded fastener is driven into it, locking itself in place. Their working load varies based on wall thickness (Refer to the product specifications for exact numbers).
  • Kaptoggle anchors for most drywall, sheetrock, gypsum board, or masonry block applications. These anchors are reusable once installed the first time and function much like toggle bolt anchors, one of the strongest of our hollow wall anchors. Their working load varies based on wall thickness (Refer to the product specifications for exact numbers).

While we currently do not sell them, there is one other kind of drywall anchors that deserves mentioning: Molly bolts. These are for heavier applications, much like the Kaptoggles, and are useable in various materials from drywall to some concrete walls. Some examples include towel bars and coat hooks.

How much weight can drywall anchors hold?

This will vary based on the size and type of anchor and the thickness of the wall you are installing the anchor into. Most anchors will specify a maximum working load for safe operation while others may specify shear or tensile strength. Most drywall anchors' actual working load can range anywhere from 20lbs to 50lbs or more depending on the application. You'll generally want the load of your application less than the working load for a secure installation. You can find specifications on our hollow wall anchors on their respective pages.